Michamvi

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... is a relatively remote peninsular about half way up the East Coast of Zanzibar Island off the coast of Tanzania.

It is a particularly attractive area with an unusually remote feeling.

Although there are two larger resorts in the area, on the whole the level of tourist development in Michamvi has been relatively light and the place retains an unusually remote feel, with long stretches of blissfully empty beaches to explore. Since the peninsular is inherently a dead-end, there is very little traffic on the access road, which further enhances the sense of this being something of a quiet backwater.

The eastern side of the peninsular island features an absolutely stunning coral lagoon, with some beautiful white-sand palm-backed beaches set in a string of scenic coves between high coral-rag cliffs. The village of Pingwe is one of the nicest on the island.

The western side of the peninsular fronts out onto the wide shallow Chwaka Bay, which has extensive mangrove swamps. There is no coral lagoon on this side, the waters and the beaches therefore tend to be rather less immediately attractive.

There is an unusually broad range of accommodation here.

In terms of activities, the area is reasonably good for kite-surfing, sailing and reef-walking, but diving and snorkelling are not as strong as in the Matemwe to the north. It is a little too distant for day-trips to Stonetown, although the Jozani Forest is within relatively easy reach. There may be some modest night-life in the village of Pingwe.

Michamvi lies at the end of a sealed highway, which may be a lot less quaint than the old dirt track that used to wind its way through the palm trees, but is also considerably more efficient.